Boston College (3-6) shot just 29 percent in the second half, which explained how the Eagles went from being tied at halftime (32-32) to losing by 16 points.

“It gives us confidence beating Xavier (last week) and Boston College,” point guard Pe’Shon Howard said. “But we got more confidence in the two losses in the Bahamas, the fact we were in those games and able to battle.”

USC (6-3) lost to No. 14-ranked Villanova and Wake Forest in the Bahamas. The program also suffered a black eye when Enfield and UTEP coach Tim Floyd got into an altercation at a dinner and assistant coaches from both staffs needed to be separated.

“We’re happy with how we did in the Bahamas,” Howard said. “We wanted to come home and show everyone our improvement.”

This game was one of the few opportunities. Because of final exams, USC will not play again until Sunday against Cal State Bakersfield.

Howard finished with 14 points and four assists. But USC’s freshmen were also significant as Julian Jacobs (16 points), Nikola Jovanovic (15) and Roschon Prince (14) combined for 45 points. Each scored a career high.

“They keep getting better,” Enfield said. “That’s what college basketball is all about. It doesn’t matter what grade or class you’re in. You’re here to improve and it’s on them.”

Notes: Forward Malik Price-Martin, who signed with USC last month, attended the game as part of his official visit. ... Boston College featured several local prospects. Forward Ryan Anderson from Long Beach Poly had 13 points and two rebounds while guard Lonnie Jackson of Valencia finished with nine points and two rebounds. Center KC Caudill of Brea had 11 points and five rebounds. ... USC started 5-0 at the Galen Center for the first time since 2009, when it went 8-0. “We just want to win six games in a row,” Enfield joked.